Description
Spicy Korean gochujang chicken sandwiches deliver a flavor explosion of tangy, sweet, and fiery notes. Crispy chicken nestled in pillowy buns creates a perfect handheld meal that sparks culinary excitement for adventurous palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Submerge chicken pieces completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coating. Refrigerate for 30-120 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Prepare three separate breading stations: first with seasoned flour mixture (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper), second with beaten egg, third with panko breadcrumbs.
- Remove marinated chicken and drain excess liquid. Methodically coat each piece first in flour, then egg wash, finally generously cover with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to medium-high temperature (around 350°F). Carefully place breaded chicken pieces, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Drain fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil and maintain crispy texture.
- Lightly toast sandwich buns for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Construct sandwiches by layering crispy chicken on buns, then top with fresh shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, pickled carrots, and optional jalapeño rounds.
- Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and crispy, accompanied by your preferred side dishes or beverages.
Notes
- Enhance marinade depth by adding grated ginger or minced shallots for extra complexity and aromatic layers.
- Ensure chicken reaches precise internal temperature using a meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly option.
- Control spice level by adjusting gochujang quantity or selecting mild/hot variant based on personal heat tolerance and preference.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes (4-5 minutes per side frying)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 228 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 474 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg